These days, you can’t be in a supermarket and walk a metre in any direction without seeing a banner proclaiming something is ‘gluten-free’. Or Paleo, the diet every third fat-to-fit person raves about. But while the jury is still about how completely accurate these diets are for humans, there’s an easy consensus on the canine dinner menu- Grain free dog food is much better for them.
Although dogs are omnivores by opportunity, their digestive systems have not evolved to digest large amounts of carbohydrates. They can metabolize them sparingly, so a top heavy carbohydrate diet leads to a lot of systemic diseases in adult dogs. Unfortunately, carbohydrates are what make up the bulk of most dog foods, because cereal and corn are such good [= cheap] fillers. So while puppies do well with moderate protein diets, adult dogs don’t adjust as well.
This is why you should be a connoisseur where your pet can’t. Grain free dog food is the best way to make sure that your dog is eating right, and subsequently feeling right. Here are the best grain free dog food types you can introduce into your pooch’s menu- with your vet’s all clear, of course.
Best Grain Free Dog Food – Top 8
Grain Free Puppy Food
1. Taste of the Wild Dog Food Pacific Stream with Smoked Salmon
Taste of the Wild dog food is already a go-to brand for anyone not feeding their dogs dehydrated food, but this particular variant takes it a step further. It contains 17% lamb by weight, 17% lamb meal, and additionally a 3% roasted lamb as well. In the mix also go fruits, vegetables like sweet potatoes that add fibre and satiety value with resorting to grains, and added vitamins and minerals. Dogs can be started of it right out of puppyhood, once they’ve transitioned and are comfortable with puppy food.
With a solid 25% protein content in it, Taste of the Wild also has a good amount [¬15%] fat in it. Adult dogs do very well with the ¬60% meat content, which is probably also why most dogs love the taste and switch over without any fuss even if they’re used to another staple food. The ingredients also include dried chicory root and fermented products, that keep your dog’s gut healthy. It’s a great way to provide a balanced diet without compromising on nutrient distribution, but also without too many calories in the bowl. Not to mention the added antioxidants for a boost to the immune system!
And, the best part is that it’s very economical. Large bags ring up at not large figures at the till. So whether you have one dog or many, this is still the best and most viable pick for a pampered [and healthier!] pooch!
- Great value
- Great balance of ingredients
- Suitable for younger dogs (after puppyhood)
- n/a
Grain Free Dry Dog Food – Top Choice
2. Harrington’s Dog Food Complete Rich In Salmon and Potato
This brand -and variant- is a hot favourite for two reasons- content and flavour. Harrington’s Dog Food with salmon is a first pick for many dogs who have dietary restrictions or sensitivities, since the salmon is single source and potato does not aggravated intolerances or sensitivities to grain. It’s a dry food that can be bought and stored conveniently, but also a full meal with no artificial colouring or preservatives in the mix.
Harrington’s dog food comes with added Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which encourage a full glossy coat and are great for your dog’s heart health as well. There is also added yeast and yucca extract, which improve digestion and add bulky fibre to the food. Whether your dogs are eating it exclusively or with a wet food snack now and then, it keeps them hooked on the taste.
All these make it an even better choice for pet owners whose dogs have exceptionally sensitive stomachs and/or fussy eaters. Especially in dogs with digestion issues, it goes a long way in clearing up the irregularities and keeping your dog full and comfortable. And since it comes at an excellent value for money price, there’s really no going wrong with this!
- High quality ingredients
- Added nutrients like Omega 3 & Omega 6
- No artificial colours or preservatives
- Great for fussy eaters
- n/a
3. Skinner’s Field & Trial Dog Food Duck & Rice
As far as grain free dog foods go, Skinner’s is a craft. This dog food is targeted specifically towards working dogs with high energy expenditure and demand, who need a dog food that can provide them with nutrients that match their quota of running around.
Skinner’s has ingredients that are protein and carbohydrate heavy- 20% British duck meat meal and 40% rice, with an added quotient of oats, peas, whole linseed, sunflower oil, beet pulp, vitamins and minerals- Vitamin E, A, Iodine, Copper Manganese, Zinc, Selenium, etc.These provide fibre, roughage, iron, vegetable protein, and help keep their digestive tracts clean and coats healthy and glossy. It’s a specifically hypoallergenic food that does not contain items known to irritate dogs’ digestions, like wheat gluten, maize gluten, barley gluten, Soya and dairy products. Plus, there’s added Chrondroitin and Glucosamine, which maintains joint and bone health in dogs. Although some dogs require to be switched to it gradually, to get them accustomed to the smell and taste.
Skinner’s comes with variants for older dogs or dogs that have to go on a diet, too. So even if your dog isn’t sheep herding or running around all day, it’s still a good way to ensure that he gets a proper balanced diet tailored to his needs!
- Great for working dogs
- Lots of added vitamins and minerals
- Other varieties available for older dogs
- Not the best choice for less active dogs
4. James Wellbeloved Adult Maintenance Grain Free Kibble Dog Food
Although a much smaller brand, this dog food does not skimp on quality. James Wellbeloved grain free dog food is made from a single meat source- turkey, lamb, or fish- and has added vegetables to the mix, ensuring a thick and filling dog food that provides a high satiety value to your dog.
James Wellbeloved dog food is ideally suited for adult dogs. It’s hypoallergenic with no added preservatives or colours, and a terrific option for dogs with known food allergies or sensitivities. Even if your dog doesn’t have a full blow sensitivity and just an iffy stomach, this is a great dog food to try out. As a plus, it comes with gravy, and dogs go barking mad about the taste of it.
The only downside is the significant difference in price, but if you’re not fussed about a slightly higher budget, this is definitely a dog food your pooch should be eating!
- Hypoallergenic
- Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- High quality ingredients
- Slightly higher price
Grain Free Wet Dog Food – Top Choice
5. Forthglade 100% Natural Dog Food Grain Free
The terrific promotion on this dog food aside [free wet food? Yes, please!], Forthglade is a major contender on the list of best grain free dog foods. If your dog is a finicky eater who gets bored with his/her food very easy, this is the solution to your problems. Each pack has four each of three single meat variants- chicken, lamb, and beef.
At almost 90% protein content, it’s rather on the protein heavy side and thus unsuitable for puppies. At the same time, adult dogs love the taste, especially of the beef flavour. Sometimes it can be too much food for one serving. This is why the makers recommend refridgerating it and feeding it to your dogs within 48 hours of opening it.
Being ready-to-eat wet food in trays, Forthglade dog food has a shorter shelf life than dry food that can stay for months. Also, some variants are more of an acquired taste, like chicken, which isn’t as popular as the beef. But again, to each dog, his own! Also, this dog food is grain free but not high in fibre, which is why you’ll have to make sure your dog gets his roughage from another dietary source every day. But for a wholesome treat, Forthglade is a great pick!
- 90% meat content
- Great for really fussy dogs
- Dogs love the taste
- Shorter self life
- Not really a great choice as a long term dog food (best as a treat)
6. Wonderdog Beef & Sweet Potato Grain Free Dog Food
Wonderdog’s beef and sweet potato grain free dog food is available in 15kg and is suitable for adult working dogs. What makes it ideal for them is that it has high quality protein, is highly digestible, anti-inflammatory and has joint care in the food.
It even helps reduce hair loss, boosts a healthy immune system, and includes calcium for strong bones and teeth.
In the ingredients, there’s 30% Meat Meal including a minimum of 14% Beef, 23% Potato, 22% Sweet Potato, Dried Sugar Beet Pulp, Poultry Fat, Peas, Brewer’s Yeast, Fish Meal, Whole Linseed, Vitamins & Minerals such as 0.05% Glucosamine & 0.025% Chondroitin.
Any products that could cause allergic reactions have been excluded from this recipe. That means there’s no pork in any form, dairy, soya, eggs, wheat or wheat gluten, nor any artificial flavouring or colouring.
The kibble is large enough to ensure that your dog actually chews before swallowing, rather than just gulping it down.
There’s also Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and vitamins A, D3, and E. The fatty acids are essential for growth, immune function, and the health of a dog’s skin and coat. As for the vitamins, vitamin A is responsible for immune and cell function, vitamin D3 manages the levels of calcium in the body and boosts bone development, and vitamin E is essential for cell function too as well as fat metabolism.
To gradually transition your dog onto this diet, you should add 25% of the new kibble with the old one on the first day, increase that to 50% the next day or so, then 75%, and after the fifth or seventh day, you can give your dog 100%.
- No artificial colours or flavours
- With added joint aid
- Omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin & fur
- n/a
7. Autarky Hypoallergenic Grain Free Dog Food
This grain free and hypoallergenic dog food is by Autarky and comes in bags of 6kg or 12kg and in two different flavours; fish and potato or turkey and potato.
Personally, my dog goes nuts for either flavour as he seems to love them both. He must think they’re very tasty, as he’s never turned it away.
They both feature joint care made up of olive extract, green lipped mussel, marine algae and glucosamine to provide active dogs with the support they need.
With naturally balanced energy levels perfect for working and highly active dogs, 27% of it is protein and 13% is fat.
The natural antioxidants and beneficial herbs support the immune system and loaded prebiotics are for healthy digestion.
The fact that it’s wheat gluten and soya free make it suitable for dogs with sensitivities and allergies to reduce chances of skin and digestive issues. Zinc and B vitamins also promote a healthy coat and skin.
Autarky dog food offers 100% natural goodness with added herbs, which makes this dry dog food highly palatable no matter if it’s served dry or soaked in water or gravy.
The large size of the kibble ensures that your dog won’t choke since they have to actually chew without rushing.
Small dogs weighing 5-10kg should be fed 105-170g daily, medium 10-25kg dogs need 170-330g a day, whereas large 25-45kg dogs should receive 330-515g and 45kg+ dogs need to get over 515g a day. The diet should be introduced gradually over a 5–7-day period.
A 12kg bag should last for around 36 days, but this varies depending on the individual dog you have because of factors like age and activity level.
- Dogs love the flavours
- Plenty of natural antioxidants and beneficial herbs
- Large sized kibble
- Added joint care
- 36 day shelf life, on average
8. Vet’s Kitchen Sensitive Care Grain Free
The last grain free dog food on our list is by Vet’s kitchen and comes in the flavour pork and potato and in bags of 2.2kg or 6kg.
It’s suitable for adult dogs from a year old and has been formulated without cereals, grains, wheat, beef, or dairy reducing the chance of any allergic reactions. Although it is on the slightly pricier side, it’s definitely worth it if you can afford it as your dog is sure to love it.
The sweet potatoes provide a necessary amount of carbohydrates that also provide a sustained energy release and pork being a novel single-sourced protein keeps them healthy.
Added glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin promote healthy joints, as well as all natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals. Thanks to chicory, a great source of prebiotics, it’s easy to digest.
This kibble is aimed at dogs with regular activity levels, not working dogs.
Small dogs weighing 5-10kg should be served 75-150g a day, medium dogs that weigh 11-25kg need 140-300g, and large dogs with a weight of anywhere between 26-40kg need a daily serving of 280-430g.
- Glucosamine, MSM, & chondroitin for healthy joints
- Sweet potato provides sustained energy release
- Easy to digest
- Contains healthy vitamins and minerals
- Not suitable for working dogs
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